In a nation often celebrated for its resilience and vibrant spirit, a silent and devastating crisis has been unfolding. While global health reports and local headlines offer fragmented glimpses, the full picture of suicide in Nigeria remains largely obscured by stigma, underreporting, and a legal framework that punishes those who attempt to end their lives. On a day dedicated to global solidarity and hope, World Suicide Prevention Day, the stark reality of mental health crises in Africa demands urgent attention. Across the continent, suicide, often dismissed as a Western phenomenon, is a burgeoning public health and economic crisis.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, stands at the epicentre of this silent epidemic, grappling with statistics and societal factors that create a perfect storm for despair. This report delves into the factual landscape of suicide in Nigeria and, by extension, the wider African continent, examining its devastating impact on health and economy, and drawing on expert insights to chart a path toward a more compassionate and resilient future.
The World Health Organisation paints a grim picture. For decades, Africa has had the highest suicide rates of any continent, a fact often obscured by a lack of reliable data and the pervasive stigma that pushes mental health issues into the shadows. While global data from 2019 shows a worldwide decline in suicide rates, the same cannot be said for Africa.
The WHO’s 2021 report, ‘Suicide worldwide in 2019’, highlighted that the African region had an age-standardised suicide rate of 11.2 per 100,000 population, higher than the global average of 9.0 per 100,000. In Nigeria, the data is even more elusive. Suicides are chronically underreported, primarily because of a legal system where attempted suicide remains a criminal offence.
Section 327 of Nigeria’s Criminal Code, though rarely enforced, carried the threat of up to one year in prison. This legal deterrent discourages individuals from seeking help and families from reporting a loved one’s death as a suicide.
This underreporting creates a significant gap in understanding the true scale of the problem. However, the available data suggests a trend. Suicide is disproportionately prevalent among young people. The WHO’s analysis indicates that a significant number of suicides in Africa occur among those aged 15-29, a demographic vital to the continent’s economic future.
This trend is driven by a confluence of factors, including high unemployment rates, academic pressure, failed relationships, poverty, and pervasive social and cultural expectations. For young men, the burden of being a provider combined with rigid societal expectations of stoicism often leads to a reluctance to discuss emotional struggles, a phenomenon mental health experts refer to as “toxic masculinity”.
This silent suffering is a key contributor to the higher male suicide rates observed across the continent. While the most common methods vary by region, they are often linked to accessibility and cultural norms.
The health dimension of this crisis is deeply intertwined with a severely under-resourced mental healthcare system. Suicide is not just a statistical event; it is the tragic outcome of untreated or undiagnosed mental health conditions. Globally, over 90% of suicide cases are linked to a mental illness, with depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders being the most common culprits. In Nigeria and many parts of Africa, access to mental healthcare is a luxury.
The WHO reports that African countries spend, on average, less than $1 per capita on mental health. There are only a few practising psychiatrists for every one million people. This glaring deficit in professionals, coupled with a dearth of psychiatric hospitals and community-based mental health services, means that the vast majority of people with mental health challenges do not receive the care they need.
The societal stigma surrounding mental illness is a formidable barrier to care. For many, a diagnosis of depression or a panic disorder is not seen as a medical condition but as a sign of spiritual weakness, a moral failing, or a hex. This cultural perception often leads families to seek help from religious leaders or traditional healers rather than qualified medical professionals.
This stigma is particularly devastating for young people, who fear being labelled as “mad” or “unstable” by their peers and families, which in turn isolates them further and makes them less likely to open up about their struggles.
Dr Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri, a psychiatrist and founder of the Pinnacle Medical Services in Lagos, says, “We cannot talk about suicide prevention without first addressing the silence that surrounds mental health. We have to de-link mental illness from witchcraft and shame. Until we create safe spaces for people to talk about their struggles without fear of judgment, our efforts will only scratch the surface of this problem.”
The economic ramifications of this crisis are far-reaching and often underestimated. The loss of a life to suicide is not just a personal tragedy; it is an economic shock to families, communities, and the nation as a whole. It represents the loss of a productive individual, a worker, an innovator, a caregiver, whose contributions to the economy are permanently halted.
In a continent with the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, the economic potential lost to suicide is staggering. It deprives the economy of human capital, innovation, and creativity. The ripple effects of this loss extend to the family, where the death of a breadwinner can push a household into extreme poverty, perpetuating a vicious cycle of hardship that affects generations.
Furthermore, the indirect costs associated with mental illness are enormous. The World Economic Forum estimates that the global cost of mental health conditions will reach $16.1 trillion by 2030.
While specific data for Africa is scarce, the trends are clear. Untreated mental health conditions lead to reduced productivity, absenteeism, and an increased burden on already stretched healthcare systems. Businesses lose valuable employees to conditions that could have been managed with timely intervention. The social fabric of communities is weakened as individuals withdraw and relationships fray.
“The suicide crisis is not just a public health issue; it’s a critical economic development challenge. We are losing a significant portion of our human capital to preventable deaths. Investing in mental health is not a social luxury; it is a fundamental economic imperative. It pays dividends in productivity, innovation, and social stability,” Prof Taiwo Lateef Sheikh, a representative for LifeLine International, an NGO working to decriminalise suicide, explains.
The path forward, though challenging, is not without hope. A growing number of grassroots organisations and mental health advocates are working to destigmatise the issue and provide support to those affected. Initiatives like suicide hotlines, online support groups, and community-based mental health education are slowly making a difference, even with limited resources. Governments and policymakers play a crucial role.
The first step is the urgent decriminalisation of suicide and attempted suicide, which would encourage individuals to seek help without fear of legal reprisal. Recent legislative efforts are promising, with the National Mental Health Act 2021, signed into law in 2023, signalling a new era of focus on mental health reform.
Beyond legal reform, a significant increase in budgetary allocation for mental healthcare is essential. This investment should focus on expanding the mental health workforce through training programs for psychiatrists, psychologists, and counsellors.
It should also prioritise the integration of mental health services into primary healthcare systems, making them more accessible to the general public. Public awareness campaigns, leveraging social media and community leaders, can help to normalise conversations about mental health and encourage a culture of open communication and support.
The backdrop of Suicide Prevention Day serves as a powerful reminder that this is a shared challenge that requires a collective response. From the family unit to the highest levels of government, every member of society has a role to play in creating a more compassionate and understanding environment.
Dr Olufemi Oluwabunmi Olowu, a lecturer and consultant psychiatrist, says, “The conversation is no longer a whisper; it is a growing chorus. While the challenges are immense, the will to change is stronger than ever. The future of suicide prevention in Africa lies in our collective commitment to dismantling stigma, building resilient communities, and ensuring that no one has to suffer in silence. It is a marathon, not a sprint, but the race has begun.”
The crisis of suicide in Nigeria and Africa is a multifaceted problem with deep roots in social, economic, and health disparities. Addressing it requires a holistic approach that goes beyond treating symptoms. It demands systemic change, legal reform, and a societal shift towards empathy and open dialogue.
By acknowledging the facts and amplifying the voices of those working to create change, we can begin to turn the tide on this silent crisis and build a future where every life is valued and every voice is heard.
